Haddin: New Zealand deserved send-offs

Australia wicket-keeper Brad Haddin has defended himself after a public backlash for sending off two New Zealand batsmen during the Cricket World Cup final.

Haddin, who also hinted he would follow captain Michael Clarke into one-day international retirement, said the Black Caps "deserved" a barrage after appearing to dull the Australians' competitive edge prior to their group-stage game in Auckland.

The 37-year-old clapped in the direction of opener Martin Guptill after he was bowled by Glenn Maxwell, and was also seen to be delivering jibes in the direction of Grant Elliott.

Haddin said he actively went after the batsmen to create an 'us against them' mentality.

"You know what? They deserved it," Haddin told Triple M Sydney.

"They were that nice to us the whole week.

"They were that nice to us in New Zealand and we were that uncomfortable.

"I said in the team meeting: 'I can't stand for this anymore, we're going at them as hard as we can.'

"It was that uncomfortable. All they were was that nice to us for seven days.

"I said, 'I'm not playing cricket like this. If we get another crack at these guys in the final I'm letting everything [at them]'."